DENVER – For the 38th time in program history, the Cherry Creek girls tennis team are state champions.
With a team total of 90 points, the Bruins captured the team championship, running away from second place Fairview who finished with 69.
“This season I had five great returning players and three great captains,” Cherry Creek head coach Chris Jacobs explained. “And they led six new players. To me that’s what makes this win stand out. Out motto this season was proud but not satisfied, and these girls made me proud every time they stepped on the court.”
Coming into the day, Cherry Creek remained slightly ahead of Fairview, with the Bruins earning 73 team points to the Knights’ 66. On the final day of action, the two teams had matchups in four of seven positions, and Creek’s three victories in those head-to-head’s was the biggest difference.
“We knew coming into today that those head-to-head matchups were key,” Jacobs continued. “These girls play so much tournament tennis, that they know each other which can be good, but it can also add to the nerves. I think we played through those nerves and fought through the day.”
In total, the Bruins were simply dominant, winning five positions total, while claiming a runner-up finish in the sixth, and a third-place finish in the seventh.
In the lone singles match not pitting a Bruin against a Knight, the all-Boulder No. 1 singles finals was the hottest contested singles match on the day. Fairview sophomore Quinn Bernthal had the tall task of trying to upend defending 5A No. 1 singles champ, Boulder senior Lily Chitambar.
After winning the first set, 6-4, Bernthal had the defending champ on the ropes. The veteran battled back, though, ultimately wining set two, 6-4, and set three
6-3 to claim her second individual crown.”
“It still hasn’t sunk in yet,” Chitambar stated after the end of the match. “At so many times it felt like I was going to lose, but I really happy and excited I won. I couldn’t have done this without my team. They are so supportive and they helped me through the match.”
The No. 2 singles final was one of the quickest matches contested on the day, as Cherry Creek senior Lorena Cedeno defeated Stella Laird of Fairview in straight sets.
“Winning this title feels amazing,” Cedeno stated. “I’ve worked so hard. I’m so proud of every single girl on this team.”
At three singles, Cherry Creek sophomore Jisele Boker had a bit of a longer match against her opponent from Fairview, junior Elle Middleton. She was able to prevail, however, 6-3 and 7-5.
“This feels great,” Boker exclaimed. “It was such a big change from doubles to singles this year, so I’m very proud of myself and so happy for my team.”
On the doubles courts, Creek claimed the top spot in three of the four slots, as Vivienne Bersin/Victoria Moldovan won No. 1 doubles over Fairview, Riley Loehr/Sabrina Shama won No. 3 doubles over Ralston Valley, and Kate Erickson/Zoey Hao won No. 4 doubles over Mountain Vista.
The lone Fairview over Creek victory today came at No. 2 doubles, as Jane Roth/Maya Brakhage earned the three-set victory, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Rounding out the top-five in team standings were Ralston Valley in third with 33, Mountain Vista in forth with 30, and Fossil Ridge in fifth with 22.
The final award on the day was the sportsmanship award, which is awarded after a weekend of nominations and voting from the teams and spectators. This season’s sportsmanship award winners was Poudre.